Spring With Mass
Procedure:
1. Attach a spring to a point on which the spring can freely hang down (and has plenty of room to oscilate).
2. Attach a mass to the spring and do five trials in which you change the amplitude of the spring with each new one. Record data.
3. Do five trials in which you keep the same amplitude but change the mass hanging on the spring with each new trial. Record data.
4. Create graphs showing each relationship.
Amplitude_Graph.PNG
Period_Graph.PNG
Analysis:
The equation used for the period of a spring (also in textbook) is - T=2(pi)sqroot(m/k)
In the first run of trials, the amplitude was changed. As can be seen by the graph, this change in amplitude had virtually no effect on the period of the spring-mass system. This matches up with the mathematical results because amplitude is not involved in the equation used to find the period of a spring-mass system
In the second run of trials, the mass was changed. As can be seen by the graph, this change in mass had an effect on the period of the spring-mass system. This matches up with the mathematical results because mass is involved in the equation used to find the period of a spring-mass system and when the numbers are out into the equation the results are similar (not exactly equal due to outside forces such as friction and air resistance).